New Student Orientation

The incoming class of 2025 at Orientation Fall 2025 Orientation class photo

Aloha and welcome new student to the New Student Orientation program! New Student Orientation is filled with fun activities all designed to create connections with other new students, with our amazing UH Hilo faculty, and with numerous campus resources and the awesome staff that run them. We invite you to immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of our university's culture and traditions during New Student Orientation. By participating in our program, you'll cultivate a strong sense of belonging and place, forging lasting bonds with fellows students, faculty, and staff that will accompany you throughout your journey at our university.

Spring 2026 New Student Orientation opened for sign up on Monday November 3rd, 2025 and has been extended to Sunday January 4, 2026. If you have missed the January 4th deadline and would like to participate in NSO, please email uhhnso@hawaii.edu and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Aiport to Campus Shuttle for New Students

In support of Residence Hall Move-In and New Student Orientation, we are pleased to offer complimentary airport shuttles from Hilo International Airport to campus on January 7 and 8.

To reserve your spot, please submit your flight details in advance using our shuttle request form.

Please note: This service is for students only. Travel companions will need to arrange their own transportation to campus.

We look forward to welcoming you to the UH ʻOhana and can’t wait to see you on campus soon!

Spring 2026 New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation is open to UH Hilo freshmen and transfer students of all class standings. There’s a little bit of everything for everyone. The Vulcan Spring Orientation program is on Thursday January 8th through Friday January 9th and spans into the first week of instruction with Vulcan'Ohana Week of Welcome.

Spring 2026 Schedule of Activities

Thursday January 8, 2026 (Students and ʻOhana)

Time	Activity	Location
9:00am	Check In Opens	Campus Center Plaza
9:40am	ʻO Wai Kākou? H-I-L-O Presentation	Campus Center Room 301
10:45am	Shuttle to ʻImiloa Astronomy Center Begins	Campus Center Plaza
11:00am	Kīpaepae and Convocation	ʻImiloa Astronomy Center Moanahōkū Hall
12:00pm	Lunch	ʻImiloa Astronomy Center Moanahōkū Hall
1:00pm	ʻImiloa Student Membership, tours	ʻImiloa Astronomy Center
2:00pm	Shuttle Return	Campus Center Plaza

ʻOhana registered to participate will check in at the Campus Center Plaza.

Friday January 9, 2026 (Students Only)

Time	Activity	Location
9:00am	Check In for Hilo Huakaʻi¹	Campus Center Plaza
9:30am	Bus Departs	Student Services Center
12:00pm	Bus Departs for Queen Liliʻuokalani Gardens¹	Downtown Hilo Bus Terminal
	Lunch on Site	Queen Liliʻuokalani Gardens
1:00pm	Buses Return	Student Services Center
1:30pm	Library and Campus Tours	Campus Center Plaza
3:00pm	End of Day Recap	Campus Center Plaza

You may want to review Frequently Asked Questions asked by new students about Orientation.

Getting here…

When should I arrive?

If you are living on campus in the Residence Halls please take time to review the following important dates and rate information.

Airport Shuttle to campus

Airport Shuttle Sign Upfor January 7th and 8th, 2026. This service is free and is a way for us to welcome you to Hilo and into our ʻohana.

What others have said

We always like to assess the programs that we offer so that we can continue to improve the way in which we support the success of our students. Here are a couple of things our students told us last year about their Orientation experience:

97%

“Orientation helped me feel welcomed to UH Hilo”

93%

“Through Orientation I learned about resources and offices on campus”

99%

“Orientation helped me feel better prepared to start my first semester at UH Hilo”

92%

“I would recommend this orientation program to other new students”

Some of our students shared:

"Orientation helped me come out of my shell and meet some people that changed my approach to school completely! It really helped me build community and have a better understanding of how things work around here!”
--Natalie, Biology Major, Fall 2025.

"Orientation was a blast! I feel I have connected to campus as well as my peers. The experience also gave me a better understanding of the campus and its amenities. All the activities were so inspiring and got me so excited to go on campus!"
--Kaylee, Marine Biology Major Fall 2024.

"Becoming a Vulcan Orientation Leader (VOL) opened the door to community on campus. From meeting new faces, to making life long connections. It’s more than a short gig with good pay, it’s an opportunity to connect with so many amazing people within the UH Hilo community."
--Sebastian, Kinesiology Major, VOL Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026.

Must have pre-registered on Wednesday, 1/8/26 to participate. Space is limited: first-come; first-served. Wear appropriate shoes for walking, bring a jacket or umbrella for rain. Alternate activities will be held on campus if inclement weather prevents the huakaʻi.